Introduction Over six million cases of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) were reported globally by the second quarter of 2020. The various forms of interventions and measures adopted to control the disease affected people's social and behavioural practices. Aim This study aims to investigate COVID-19 related knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) as well as misconceptions in Katsina state, one of the largest epicentres of the COVID-19 outbreak in Nigeria. Methods The study is cross-sectional survey of 722 respondents using electronic questionnaire through the WhatsApp media platform. Results One thousand five hundred (1500) questionnaires were sent to the general public with a response rate of 48% (i.e. 722 questionnaires completed and returned). Among the respondents, 60% were men, 45% were 25-39 years of age, 56% held bachelor's degree/equivalent and above and 54% were employed. The study participants correct rate in the knowledge questionnaire was 80% suggesting high knowledge on the disease. A significant correlation (P < 0.05) exists between the average knowledge score of the participants and their level of education (Kendall's tau = 0.16). Overall, most of the participants agreed that the COVID-19 will be successfully controlled (84%) and the Nigerian government will win the fight against the pandemic (71%). Men were more likely than female (P < 0.05) to have recently attended a crowded place. Being more educated (bachelor's degree or equivalent and above vs diploma or equivalent and below) is associated with good COVID-19 related practices. Among the participants, 83% held at least one COVID-19 related misconception with the most frequent being that the virus was created in a laboratory (36%). Participants with lower level of education received and trust COVID-19 related information from local radio and television stations and participants at all levels of education selected that they would trust health unit and health care workers for COVID-19 related information. Conclusion Although there is high COVID-19 related knowledge among the sample, misconceptions are widespread among the participants. These misconceptions have consequences on the short- and long-term control efforts against the disease and hence should be incorporated in targeted campaigns. Health care related personnel should be in the fore front of the campaign.

Over six million cases of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) were reported globally by the second quarter of 2020. This study assessed the COVID-19 related knowledge, attitudes, practices and misconceptions in Katsina state, Nigeria. The study is across-sectional survey of 722 respondents using an electronic questionnaire through the WhatsApp media platform. One thousand five hundred questionnaires were sent to the general public with a response rate of 48%. Among the respondents, 60% were men, and 56% held bachelor’s degree and above. The respondents have good knowledge of COVID-19 (80% correct rate on questions related to knowledge). Being more educated is associated with both higher average COVID-19 knowledge score and positive COVID-19 related practices. Overall, >70% of the respondents have a positive attitude towards successful COVID-19 control. Male were more likely than female (Fisher’s exact test P value < 0.05) to have recently attended a crowded place. Among the respondents, 83% held at least one misconception related to COVID-19. Respondents at all levels of education frequently chose to trust health unit and health care workers for relevant COVID-19 information. In conclusion, although there is high COVID-19 related knowledge among the respondents, misconceptions are widespread among them. These misconceptions have consequences on the short- and long-term control efforts against the disease and hence should be incorporated in targeted campaigns. Healthcare related personnel should be at the forefront of the campaign. Keywords: COVID-19; knowledge; attitude; practices; misconceptions; Nigeria

Currently, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is perceived not only as a pulmonary disease, but more as a systemic disease affecting the functioning of other organs including the locomotor system. The application of physical therapy in patients with COPD has been found to be safe and beneficial. Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) treatment is particularly beneficial for patients who are unable or unwilling to participate in daily activities or regular physical exercise. The efficacy of this technique has not yet been fully demonstrated in patients with COPD. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of NMES on peripheral muscle strength and exercise tolerance in COPD patients. As part of the literature review for this study, seven studies over the last 19 years have been taken into consideration. The review included the following databases: Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), Google Scholar, and PubMed. Based on our literature review, we concluded that NMES has positive effects on increasing peripheral muscle strength and exercise tolerance in COPD patients. Future research should examine whether the therapeutic effects are long-lasting, whether they are experienced by all COPD patient groups, and which frequency or type of NMES delivers the most effective results.

This paper examines the issues in internal audit reliability. It specifically provides conceptual and practical insights into some of the consequential issues worth pondering about when assessing the reliability of the internal audit functions. Particularly, the paper identified and discussed four (4) of such issues namely: competency of internal auditors, level of management support/influence, independence and objectivity of internal auditors; and regulatory issues. The paper took a conceptual approach and draws its basis from the institutional and protection motivation theories. Based on literature and other documentary evidences, the paper took the position that the four identified factors would most likely influence the internal audit reliability. Among other policy implications, the paper, therefore, proposes a conceptual research framework to be empirically examined by future researchers.

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